How to Write Like a Professional

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

If you haven't noticed, "Dancing Through Time and Space" is my new blog motto, log line, subtitle, whatever. No, it's not Star Trek. No, I'm not aiming to find a portal in the universe, or a crack in the time/space continuum, but I would love to have a time machine (to create more of it). Or would that be a time tree? If you had a time machine/tree, what things would you want to do? How could you more fully spend your time?

I also love space and thinking about the universe, don't you? And then there's each person's own personal space, too. And of course, there's DANCING! I do love to twirl around and dance. I just imagine myself dancing around trying to get more done in my limited space and time. I kind of jump from one passion to the next, always trying to learn how to be more mindful of my time.

Every day, we all dance through time and space as we say hello to a loved one, pick up the phone and call a parent, pick up the dirty laundry and squeeze a hug with our children. A peck on the cheek, a bear hug, a high five. These are ways I dance through time and space with my family. Family is the most important thing in life. I try to teach my children to love the Lord, teach them good manners, teach them how to be respectful, honest, law-abiding citizens. Teach them what they need to know to be safe and happy here on this earth. I pray for my sisters. I'm happy when my parents call me. How do you dance with your family?

But, yet I still struggle. Sometimes I steal time from my family just so I can write. A lot of writers don't have a clean house, or maybe they don't take the time to cook a nice meal. I, for one, do neither most of the time. But we always have clean clothes to wear and food to eat. So, yeah, I'm always dancing through time and space - fleeting, sometimes focused, sometimes unfocused, happy, searching for love and how to share with others the deeper meaning of life. Will you dance through time and space with me?

When you leave a comment, you'll receive "dancing time-released space-kisses" to last for a whole week. I know you want a little more love in your life.

I help writers create compelling stories and build submission-ready manuscripts so they can run with their writing. Connect with hundreds of other writers on my FREE Facebook group, Writers Who Run (or Walk). ~ bit.ly/writerswhorun ~

I help writers create compelling stories and build submission-ready manuscripts so they can run with their writing. Connect with hundreds of other writers on my FREE Facebook group, Writers Who Run (or Walk). ~ bit.ly/writerswhorun ~

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Blog posts come a lot easier when you're writing them regularly. I found this great post by Marisa Murgatroyd where she lists out all the holidays for 2016. There are some great ideas here for blog posts, emails, social media topics, and more. Just get creative with it. I know I will be!

"JANUARY
• January 1 – New Years Day (popular topics: weight loss, resolutions, business/financial success, having a great life)
• January 17 World Religion Day (popular topics: spirituality)
• January 18 – Martin Luther King Day
• January 11 – Clean Off Your Desk Day
• January 13 – Make Your Dreams Come True Day
• January 14 – Organize Your Home Day
• January 17 – Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day
• January 18 – Thesaurus Day
• January 24 – Macintosh Computer Day
• January 26 – Spouse’s Day
• January 31 – Backwards Day

FEBRUARY
• February 2 – Groundhog Day
• February 8 – Super Bowl (popular topics: football, commercials, advertising)
• February 14 – Valentine’s Day (popular topics: love and relationships)
• February 15 – President’s Day
• February 9 – Mardi Gras
• Black History Month
• February 1 – National Freedom Day
• February 5 – National Wear Red Day
• February 8 – Chinese New Year
• February 8 – Laugh and Get Rich Day
• February 8 – Clean Out Your Computer Day
• February 17 – Random Act of Kindness Day
• February 16 – Do a Grouch a Favor Day
• February Work Naked Day
• February 22 – Single Tasking Day
• February 26 – Tell a Fairy Tale Day

MARCH
• First Day of Spring (popular topics: cleaning and organizing, fresh starts, new life)
• March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day (popular topics: green, parades, good cheer)
• Women’s History Month
• National Nutrition Month
• March 4 – Employee Appreciation Day
• March 27 – Easter Sunday
• March 1 – World Compliment Day
• March 1 – Plan a Solo Vacation Day
• March 18 – Awkward Moments Day
• March 21 – Common Courtesy Day
• March 22 – International Goof Off Day
• March 30 – Take a Walk in the Park Day

APRIL
• April 1 – April Fool’s Day
• April 15 – Tax Day (popular topics: finance, government)
• April 22 – Earth Day (popular topics: environment, living green, recycling)
• Jazz Appreciation Month
• National Poetry Month
• April 28 – Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
• April 1 – Walk to Work Day
• April 14 – International Moment of Laughter Day
• April 16 – Wear Pajamas to Work Day
• April 18 – Columnist Day
• April 30 – Honesty Day
• April 23 – Take a Chance Day

MAY
• May 5 – Cinco de Mayo
• May 8 – Mother’s Day (popular topics: family, moms, being a mom)
• May 30 – Memorial Day (popular topics: patriotic, veteran, military)
• Lupus Awareness Month
• ALS Awareness Month
• May 5 – National Day of Prayer
• May 6 – National Nurses Day
• May 15 – Peace Officers Memorial Day
• May 21 – Armed Forces Day
• May 4 – Star Wars Day
• May 6 – No Pants Day
• May 6 – Military Spouse Appreciation Day
• May 18 – No Dirty Dishes Day
• May 20 – Be a Millionaire Day
• May 10 – Clean Up Your Room Day

JUNE
• June 19 – Father’s Day (popular topic: family, dads, being a dad)
• June 1 – First Day of Summer
• LGBT Pride Month
• June 3 – National Doughnut Day
• June 1 – Say Something Nice Day
• June 8 – Best Friends Day
• June 14 – Bourbon Day
• June 21 – Daylight Appreciation Day
• June 18 – International Picnic Day
• June 24 – Swim a Lap Day

JULY
• July 4 – Fourth of July (popular topics: freedom, barbeques)
• Dance Appreciation Month
• Eye Injury Prevention Month
• July 24 – Parents’ Day
• July 1 – International Joke Day
• July 11 – Cheer Up the Lonely Day
• July 13 – Embrace Your Geekness Day
• July 12 – Simplicity Day
• July 5 – Workaholics Day
• July 6 – World Kissing Day

AUGUST
• Back to School (popular topics: education, summer vacation, feeling good)
• National Immunization Awareness Month
• Medic Alert Month
• August 19 – National Aviation Day
• August 21 – Senior Citizens Day
• August 26 – Women’s Equality Day
• August 1 – Girlfriend’s Day
• August 4 – Single Working Women’s Day
• August 5 – International Beer Day
• August 5 -Work Like a Dog Day
• August 9 – Book Lovers Day
• August 12 – Middle Child Day
• August 11 – Son and Daughter Day
• August 10 – Lazy Day

SEPTEMBER
• September 5 – Labor Day (popular topics: workers, American principles)
• September 1 – First Day of Fall
• September 11 – Patriot Day
• National Yoga Month
• September 11 – National Grandparents Day
• September 1 – No Rhyme or Reason Day
• September 6 – Fight Procrastination Day
• September 6 – Read a Book Day
• September 10 – Swap Ideas Day
• September 13 – Positive Thinking Day
• September 28 – Ask a Stupid Question Day
• September 28 – Good Neighbor Day

OCTOBER
• October 10 – Columbus Day
• October 31 – Halloween (popular topics: costumes, makeup, candy, treats
• Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• National Book Month
• October 3 – Child Health Day
• October 17 – Boss’s Day
• October 13 – International Skeptics Day
• October 17 – National Clean Out Your Virtual Desktop Day
• October 27 – American Beer Day
• October 29 – Internet Day

I help writers create compelling stories and build submission-ready manuscripts so they can run with their writing. Connect with hundreds of other writers on my FREE Facebook group, Writers Who Run (or Walk). ~ bit.ly/writerswhorun ~

Saturday, January 16, 2016

It's been so long since I've blogged, I feel like I forgot my name. I don't even know what to share anymore. Do me a favor. Let me know all the things you've liked about my blog, the things you might miss about it being so inactive, and the things you wish SOMEBODY would talk about.

Do you want to hear about productivity? Energizing activities? Time saving tips? More book reviews? How to balance your writing life with your home life?

So spill the beans!!! I know you didn't really forget your name, but will you help me remember mine?

I help writers create compelling stories and build submission-ready manuscripts so they can run with their writing. Connect with hundreds of other writers on my FREE Facebook group, Writers Who Run (or Walk). ~ bit.ly/writerswhorun ~